Loyola Seminar
The Loyola Seminar courses (UNIV 102) are intended to provide Loyola University Chicago's first-year students with an academic experience that exposes them to active and collaborative learning in a supportive environment. Courses are taught by full-time faculty and other leaders on campus, including LUC President, Father Garanzini, and Associate Provost, Patrick Boyle. The one semester, one credit-hour, course meets weekly for 50 minutes with additional activities outside of scheduled class time to assist in community development and the integration of curricular and co-curricular learning.
Seminars are offered within several of Loyola's Major areas of study, exposing students to the discipline as a possible Major. Importantly, no background knowledge in the topic area is needed for students, as they are encouraged to explore new areas of interest.
Why take a Loyola Seminar?
- Continue striving for first-year success in this small, seminar-style class;
- Get to know a faculty member from one of your areas of interest;
- Gain more exposure to the Ignatian approach to learning: experience, critical reflection and action;
- Explore a major field of study while studying a unique and intriguing topic;
- Participate in a class that lets you ask questions about your academic transition to college;
- Deepen your connection to Loyola University Chicago;
- Stay engaged and excited about your education!
Loyola Seminar Topics—Spring 2013
(Search for classes in LOCUS)
Architecture of Happiness
UNIV 102 Section: 001-LEC(3298)
Instructor: Fr. Michael Murphy
Theology
How does one talk about happiness? What makes us happy? How do we “build” happiness in our lives and in our world? What do the words “truth,” “goodness,” and “beauty” mean for us today and how is it always under construction in our lives? These questions will be threaded through weekly discussions and readings on architecture, art, literature and spirituality.
Global Citizenship
UNIV 102 Section: 002-LEC(3917)
Instructor: Dr. Patrick Boyle, Associate Provost
Political Science
This course considers models, new and old, of Global Citizens and considers how one today might engage in activities supportive of global awareness and responsibility. Students will be asked to read several biographies, interview global citizens, and prepare class presentations on related topics. The learning outcome for this course is twofold: develop a realistic and informed understanding of global citizenship as well as develop a personal approach to what global citizenship might mean for oneself.
Chicago's Grassroots Engines of Social Change
UNIV 102 Section: 003-LEC(6133)
Instructor: Dr. Phillip Nyden
Sociology
The course examines the role of community-based organizations, regional advocacy groups, and broader social movements in bringing about change in Chicago and its suburbs. We will examine past and present social change efforts around issues such as: creating stable diverse communities; reducing violence in Chicago’s neighborhoods; giving greater voice to youth in policy making; reducing homelessness, creating more affordable housing; reducing racial discrimination in city and suburban communities; stopping domestic violence. Students will hear from community activists and have opportunities to visit communities and organizations to hear more about current social justice work.
Higher Education, Changing Careers, and Social Inequality
UNIV 102 Section: 004-LEC(3918)
Instructor: Dr. Judson Everett
Sociology
This course will offer a brief introduction to sociology by looking at something very familiar to you from a new perspective: your college experience and what kinds of careers await you after graduation. Every week, we will discuss current trends in higher education, the labor market, and social class inequality, and use various sociological theories to help us understand them. Moreover, we will discuss ways in which a sociological perspective can help you navigate your own college and professional careers.
Religion, Violence and Peacemaking
UNIV 102 Section: 005-LEC(3919)
Instructor: Dr. William French
Theology
This course will examine how religious appeals can be employed to promote justice and peace, but also aggression. We will examine the psychology of aggression and see how in times of conflict we tend to employ tight “us” versus “them” understandings that often tend to justify violence and hatred. By looking at the life and work of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Archbishop Romero we will examine three cases of structural violence and oppression and three religious approaches for working for justice, human understanding, and peace.
Myths About American Politics and Government: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
UNIV 102 Section: 006-LEC(3300)
Instructor: Dr. Alan Gitelson
Political Science
In a relaxed, small-group setting, this class will focus on the myths that surround American government and politics and how our misperceptions have an impact on campaigns, elections and the governing process. This snap-shot of American politics will hopefully engage you and suggest that a life-time of being an informed and active political citizen is crucial to our lives. We will use the study of American politics as a means of developing an Ignatius approach to learning, an approach that values critical thinking, reflection, action and service to others. We will also examine your transition to college and specifically Loyola University.
Encountering the World's Religions
UNIV 102 Section: 007-LEC(3285)
Instructor: Dr. Tracy Pintchman
Theology
In this course, we will explore basic, distinctive elements of some of the world’s major religious traditions: Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. After taking this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, with attention to historical development, of some of the central texts, beliefs, ethical precepts, and practices of these religions. By way of example, students who take this course should be able to: (1) name and discuss important scriptures of the religions studied; and (2) define and discuss some of the key concepts, terms, values, and religious practices foundational to these traditions.
Chicago in the Cinema
UNIV 102 Section: 008-LEC(3286)
Instructor: Dr. John Slania
Communications
Seeing Chicago through the eyes of film and documentary makers is one of the best ways to learn about the history and culture of the city. This course will feature clips and full-length films and documentaries set in Chicago, and study how they portray the city and its people. Lectures and discussions will be supplemented with readings about the films as well as historical information about Chicago events and people depicted in the films. Additionally, students will take field trips to historical sites in the city where some of the scenes were shot, and tour the Gene Siskel Film Center and the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Poetry in Chicago
UNIV 102 Section: 009-LEC(3302)
Instructor: Dr. Joyce Wexler
English Literature
We will attend readings at the Poetry Foundation and other venues. To prepare for these events, we’ll study poems by featured poets in class. (No books are required.)
BioArt: Exploring Living Organisms through Art
UNIV 102 Section: 010-LEC(5106)
Instructor: Dr. G. Cole Hunter
Biology
BioArt is art created with living organisms, DNA or protein. Find out how you can make a watermelon grow in the shape of a cube, a rabbit glow fluorescent green and put messages into DNA. One class will be taught in a room illuminated with drawings created with bioluminescent bacteria.
Inequality in America
UNIV 102 Section: 011-LEC(6362)
Instructor: Dr. David Embrick
Sociology
This is a course about taking the Jesuit mission of social justice and critically applying it to how we think, feel, and understand inequalities in a society that touts equality for all, yet in practice continues to exclude folks on the basis of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and age, for example.
Introductory Explorations of Health Care Professions
UNIV 102 Section: 012-LEC(6363)
Instructor: Dr. Jim Johnson
Pre-Med
This class is an opportunity to explore and think more deeply about health care professions. Course materials, class discussions, guest speakers, and on-site activities will offer a foundation for students to engage with and analyze various issues facing health care professionals today. Students will critically examine a specific health care profession or current issue facing health care and provide a written and oral synthesis of their research as a small group project. The course will also include a tour and presentations at the Stritch School of Medicine (tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 16, 2013).
Issues for the New President
UNIV 102 Section: 013-LEC(6364)
Instructor: Dr. John Pelissero, Provost
Political Science
In January 2013 we will inaugurate a new president. This course will look at the major issues for the next presidential term and examine how the president is addressing both domestic and foreign policy matters.
Civil Rights Then and Now
UNIV 102 Section: 014-LEC(6365)
Instructor: Dr. Robert Kelly
*Open ONLY to students participating in the Freedom Ride ABI
This course explores the parallels and connections between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and current-day social justice movements. Through learning about key events and themes of the civil rights movement; studying the evolution of the immigration rights, LGBTQ equity, and racial justice movements; and, examining the role of identity and community in social change, students will gain deeper understanding of how college students can work in solidarity to address current-day injustices and inequities in society.